Pokemon GO Zapdos Max Battle guide: Weaknesses and best counters

A Pokemon GO Zapdos Max Battle guide is going to be helpful for players wishing to challenge this Electric-type Legendary. The creature will take over Power Spots as a 5-star Max Battle Boss starting with the Legendary Flight Max Monday event at 6 - 7 PM local time on January 27, 2025. Subsequently, the critter will appear erratically throughout the week until 6 PM local time on February 3, 2025.

This article covers the Electric bird's weaknesses and best counters to help you come out victorious in Pokemon GO Zapdos Max Battles.

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Pokemon GO Zapdos Max Battle weaknesses

Zapdos' type matchups (Image via Sportskeeda)

What is super-effective against Dynamax Zapdos?

Zapdos is an Electric- and Flying-type creature. As a result, it is vulnerable to Rock- and Ice-type moves. Since there are no Rock-type Max Attack users in the game as of writing, you will be dependent on using Ice-type moves when it comes to the best offensive options.

Use our Pokemon Type Calculator to learn more about different matchups.

Here are the Max Moves that are super-effective against Dynamax Zapdos:

• Max Hailstorm (or G-Max Resonance)
• Max Rockfall

Zapdos' stat distribution and moveset in Pokemon GO

As a 5-star Power Spot boss in Pokemon GO, Zapdos has the following stats:

• Attack: 253
• Defense: 185
• Attacks: Zap Cannon, Thunderbolt, Thunder, Ancient Power, and Drill Peck

You must spend 800 Max Particles to challenge Zapdos Max Battles. This cost will only be charged if you take down the Power Spot boss successfully. Each party can have a maximum of four players, each with three Pokemon.

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Pokemon GO Zapdos Max Battle best counters

Dynamax Zapdos with the other two Dynamax Legendary birds (Image via TPC)

The following are the best attackers and their recommended movesets for Pokemon GO Zapdos Max Battles:

• Gigantamax Lapras with Frost Breath (G-Max Resonance)
• Dynamax Articuno with Frost Breath (Dynamax Hailstorm)
• Dynamax Cryogonal with Frost Breath (Dynamax Hailstorm)
• Gigantamax Charizard with Fire Spin (G-Max Wildfire)
• Gigantamax Toxtricity with Spark (G-Max Stun Shock)
• Gigantamax Gengar with Shadow Claw (G-Max Terror)

The following Pokemon should be used as damage soakers and users of Max Guard and Max Spirit against Zapdos Max Battles:

• Dynamax Excadrill with Metal Claw (Max Steelspike)
• Gigantamax Toxtricity with Spark (G-Max Stun Shock)
• Dynamax Toxtricity with Spark (Max Lightning)
• Dynanamax Metagross with Zen Headbutt (Max Steelspike)
• Dynamax or Gigantamax Venusaur with Vine Whip (Dynamax Overgrowth or G-Max Vine Lash)

Excadrill is the best defender thanks to its Steel- and Ground-typing, which allows it to resist all of Zapdos' attacks. As for Attackers, you should go with either Gigantamax Lapras or Articuno for the best damage output.

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Pokemon GO Zapdos Max Battle catch CP and shiny availability

Zapdos shiny comparison (Image via TPC)

The Dynamax Zapdos spawn you find after the battle will have combat power in one of the following ranges:

• No weather boost: 1,930 - 2,015 CP at level 20 (10/10/10 - 15/15/15 IVs)
• Weather boosted (Rainy or Windy): 2,413 - 2,519 CP at level 25 (10/10/10 - 15/15/15 IVs)

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What are the 100% IVs from Pokemon GO Zapdos Max Battles?

Here are the 100% IVs from 5-star Zapdos Max Battles:

• No weather boost: 2,015 CP
• Weather boosted (Rainy or Windy): 2,519 CP

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Can Zapdos be shiny in Pokemon GO?

You can find Shiny Dynamax Zapdos in Pokemon GO as of January 2025. The odds of finding one are approximately 1-in-20 or 5%.

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Check out our other Pokemon GO guides:

• Ditto disguises
• Buddy Evolution Adventure Together guide
• Best Fast Attacks in Pokemon GO
• Sierra counters
• Cliff counters
• Arlo counters
• Giovanni counters
• Team GO Rocket Grunts